Crystal Palace manager Roy Hodgson has admitted that he was surprised Wayne Rooney retired from international ahead of next summer's World Cup. The 32-year-old called time on his England career earlier this season despite earning a recall from Gareth Southgate. Speaking in the lead-up to the Everton game, Hodgson said that he was turned back by Rooney's decision to retire at an unexpected period, he said: "I thought he would try and continue to get to the next World Cup. I was a little surprised when he retired. I spoke to him then: we texted. These are decisions players have to make.

"I'm not party to all those facts and considerations he's thought about. But one thing I do know is England owes him - he owes England nothing - because he gave his all for England and did more than his fair share of what someone could expect for England. His record alone would put him in that category [of the greatest I have managed]."